Clinical Features and Computed Tomography Characteristics of Non-Klebsiella pneumoniae Liver Abscesses in Elderly (>65 Years) and Nonelderly Patients

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical and computed tomography (CT) appearances of liver abscesses caused by non-Klebsiella pneumoniae bacterial pathogens in elderly and nonelderly patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty patients with confirmed non-Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscesses (non-KPLAs) were enrolled and divided into two age groups: elderly (age > or =65 years, n=42) and nonelderly (age <65 years, n=38). Diagnosis of non-KPLA was established by pus and/or blood culture. We compared clinical presentations, outcomes, and CT characteristics of the two groups, and performed multivariate analysis for significant variables and receiver-operating-characteristic analysis to determine the cutoff value of abscess diameter for predicting non-KPLA. RESULTS: Elderly patients with non-KPLA were associated with a longer hospital stay (p<0.01). Regarding etiology, biliary sources had a strong association in the elderly group (p<0.01), and chronic liver diseases were related to the nonelderly group (p<0.01). Non-KPLAs (52.5%) tended to show a large, multiloculated appearance in the elderly group and were associated with bile duct dilatation (p<0.01), compared with the nonelderly group. The abscess diameter (cutoff value, 5.2 cm; area under the curve, 0.78) between the two groups was predicted. In multivariate analysis, underlying biliary tract disease [odds ratio (OR), 3.58, p<0.05], abscess diameter (OR, 2.40, p<0.05), and multiloculated abscess (OR, 1.19, p<0.01) independently predicted elderly patients with non-KPLA. CONCLUSION: In the elderly patients with non-KPLA, a large, multiloculated abscess with a diameter greater than 5.2 cm was the predominant imaging feature.

Clinical Features and Computed Tomography Characteristics of Non-Klebsiella pneumoniae Liver Abscesses in Elderly (>65 Years) and Nonelderly Patients

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical and computed tomography (CT) appearances of liver abscesses caused by non-Klebsiella pneumoniae bacterial pathogens in elderly and nonelderly patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty patients with confirmed non-Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscesses (non-KPLAs) were enrolled and divided into two age groups: elderly (age > or =65 years, n=42) and nonelderly (age <65 years, n=38). Diagnosis of non-KPLA was established by pus and/or blood culture. We compared clinical presentations, outcomes, and CT characteristics of the two groups, and performed multivariate analysis for significant variables and receiver-operating-characteristic analysis to determine the cutoff value of abscess diameter for predicting non-KPLA. RESULTS: Elderly patients with non-KPLA were associated with a longer hospital stay (p<0.01). Regarding etiology, biliary sources had a strong association in the elderly group (p<0.01), and chronic liver diseases were related to the nonelderly group (p<0.01). Non-KPLAs (52.5%) tended to show a large, multiloculated appearance in the elderly group and were associated with bile duct dilatation (p<0.01), compared with the nonelderly group. The abscess diameter (cutoff value, 5.2 cm; area under the curve, 0.78) between the two groups was predicted. In multivariate analysis, underlying biliary tract disease [odds ratio (OR), 3.58, p<0.05], abscess diameter (OR, 2.40, p<0.05), and multiloculated abscess (OR, 1.19, p<0.01) independently predicted elderly patients with non-KPLA. CONCLUSION: In the elderly patients with non-KPLA, a large, multiloculated abscess with a diameter greater than 5.2 cm was the predominant imaging feature.

Positive end-expiratory pressure attenuates positional effect after thoracotomy

Thoracotomy is a common procedure. However, thoracotomy leads to lung atelectasis and deteriorates pulmonary gas exchange in operated side. Therefore, different positions with operated side lowermost or uppermost may lead to different gas exchange after thoracotomy. Besides, PEEP [positive end-expiratory pressure] influence lung atelectasis and should influence gas exchange. The purpose of this study was to determine the physiological changes in different positions after thoracotomy. In addition, we also studied the influence of PEEP to positional effects after thoracotomy. There were eight pigs in each group. Group I received left thoracotomy with zero end-expiratory pressure [ZEEP], and group II with PEEP; group III received right thoracotomy with ZEEP and group IV with PEEP. We changed positions to supine, LLD [left lateral decubitus] and RLD [right lateral decubitus] in random order after thoracotomy. PaO[2] was decreased after thoracotomy and higher in RLD after left thoracotomy and in LLD after right thoracotomy. PaO[2] in groups II and IV was higher than in groups I and III if with the same position. In group I and III, PaCO[2] was increased after thoracotomy and was higher in LLD after left thoracotomy and in RLD after right thoracotomy. In groups II and IV, there were no PaCO[2] changes in different positions after thoracotomy. Lung compliance [Crs] was decreased after thoracotomy in groups I and III and highest in RLD after left thoracotomy and in LLD after right thoracotomy. In groups II and IV, there were no changes in Crs regardless of the different positions. There were significant changes with regards to pulmonary gas exchange, hemodynamics and Crs after thoracotomy. The best position was non-operated lung lowermost Applying PEEP attenuates the positional effects

Docetaxel (Taxotere®)-induced cavitary change of pulmonary metastatic lesions complicated by bilateral spontaneous pneumothoraces in a patient with primary adenocarcinoma of the lung

Pneumothorax is a complication that rarely occurs after chemotherapy for lung cancer. We report the chest computed tomography findings of a case of spontaneous pneumothorax complicating docetaxel (Taxotere®) treatment for pulmonary metastasis in a 70-year-old woman with pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The patient developed bilateral pneumothoraces, which was induced by changes in the cavitary pulmonary metastatic lesions, after systemic chemotherapy with docetaxel. The chest computed tomography findings and possible mechanisms of this unusual complication are discussed in this report.

Case of Pulmonary Cryptococcosis Mimicking Hematogeneous Metastases in an Immuocompetent Patient: Value of Absent 18F-Fluorodeoxylucose Uptake on Positron Emission Tomography/CT Scan

The radiologic appearance of multiple discrete pulmonary nodules in immunocompetent patients, with cryptococcal infection, has been rarely described. We describe a case of pulmonary cryptococcosis, presenting with bilaterally and randomly distributed nodules on a computed tomography, mimicking hematogeneous metastases. Positron emission tomography does not demonstrate 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake, suggesting a low probability for malignancy, which is a crucial piece of information for clinicians when making a management decision. We find the absence of FDG uptake correlates with the pathologic finding of an infectious nodule, composed of fibrosis and necrosis.

Incidentally Detected Enhancing Breast Lesions on Chest Computed Tomography

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nature and imaging appearance of incidental enhancing breast lesions detected on a routine contrast-enhanced chest CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients with incidental enhancing breast lesions on contrast-enhanced chest CT were retrospectively reviewed. The breast lesions were reviewed by unenhanced and enhanced CT, and evaluated by observing the shapes, margins, enhancement patterns and backgrounds of breast lesions. A histopathologic diagnosis or long-term follow-up served as reference standard. RESULTS: Sixteen (70%) patients had malignant breast lesions and seven (30%) had benign lesions. In 10 patients, the breast lesions were exclusively detected on contrast-enhanced CT. Using unenhanced CT, breast lesions with fibroglandular backgrounds were prone to be obscured (p < 0.001). Incidental primary breast cancer showed an non-significant trend of a higher percentage irregular margin (p = 0.056). All of the four incidental breast lesions with non-mass-like enhancement were proven to be malignant. CONCLUSION: Routine contrast-enhanced chest CT can reveal sufficient details to allow for the detection of unsuspected breast lesions, in which some cases may be proven as malignant. An irregular margin of incidental enhancing breast lesion can be considered a suggestive sign of malignancy.

Using Multidetector-Row CT for the Diagnosis of Afferent Loop Syndrome Following Gastroenterostomy Reconstruction

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical manifestations and multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) findings of afferent loop syndrome (ALS) and to determine the role of MDCT on treatment decisions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2004 to December 2008, 1,100 patients had undergone gastroenterostomy reconstruction in our institution. Of these, 22 (2%) patients were diagnosed as ALS after surgery that included Roux-en-Y gastroenterotomy (n=9), Billroth-II gastrojejunostomy (n=7), and Whipple's operation (n=6). Clinical manifestations and MDCT features of these patients were recorded and statistically analyzed. The presumed etiologies of obstruction shown on the MDCT were correlated with clinical information and confirmed by surgery or endoscopic biopsy. RESULTS: The most common clinical symptom was acute abdominal pain, presenting in 18 patients (82%). We found that a fluid-filled C-shaped afferent loop in combination with valvulae conniventes projecting into the lumen was the most common MDCT features of ALS. Malignant causes of ALS, such as local recurrence and carcinomatosis, are the most common etiologies of obstruction. These etiologies and associated complications can be predicted 100% by MDCT. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that MDCT is a reliable modality for assessing the etiologies of ALS and guiding treatment decisions.

Intra-Arterial Treatment in Patients with Acute Massive Gastrointestinal Bleeding after Endoscopic Failure: Comparisons between Positive versus Negative Contrast Extravasation Groups

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether treatment outcome is associated with visualization of contrast extravasation in patients with acute massive gastrointestinal bleeding after endoscopic failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2009, patients that experienced a first attack of acute gastrointestinal bleeding after failure of initial endoscopy were referred to our interventional department for intra-arterial treatment. We enrolled 79 patients and divided them into two groups: positive and negative extravasation. For positive extravasation, patients were treated by coil embolization; and in negative extravasation, patients were treated with intra-arterial vasopressin infusion. The two groups were compared for clinical parameters, hemodynamics, laboratory findings, endoscopic characteristics, and mortality rates. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients had detectable contrast extravasation (positive extravasation), while 31 patients did not (negative extravasation). Fifty-six patients survived from this bleeding episode (overall clinical success rate, 71%). An elevation of hemoglobin level was observed in the both two groups; significantly greater in the positive extravasation group compared to the negative extravasation group. Although these patients were all at high risk of dying, the 90-day mortality rate was significantly lower in the positive extravasation than in the negative extravasation (20% versus 42%, p < 0.05). A multivariate analysis suggested that successful hemostasis (odds ratio [OR] = 28.66) is the most important predictor affecting the mortality in the two groups of patients. CONCLUSION: Visualization of contrast extravasation on angiography usually can target the bleeding artery directly, resulting in a higher success rate to control of hemorrhage.

An Unusual Radiologic Pattern of Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia: Diffuse Pulmonary Nodules in a Leukemia Patient

The radiological appearance of diffuse discrete pulmonary nodules associated with cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) has been rarely described. We describe a case of COP in 49-year-old woman with acute myeloid leukemia who developed diffuse pulmonary nodules during the second course of induction chemotherapy. The clinical status of the patient and imaging findings suggested the presence of a pulmonary metastasis or infectious disease. A video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy resulted in the unexpected diagnosis of COP as an isolated entity. Steroid therapy led to dramatic improvement of the clinical symptoms and the pulmonary lesions.

Atypical Pulmonary Metastases from a True Malignant Mixed Tumor of the Parotid Gland

A 58-year-old male patient presented with a recurrent true malignant mixed tumor of the parotid gland. Patchy pulmonary opacities were identified with a chest radiograph. Subsequently, a CT scan of the chest showed pulmonary parenchymal consolidation with amorphous calcifications. This abnormality was confirmed to be the result of a metastatic true malignant mixed tumor by using CT-guided biopsy. The current case demonstrated an extremely rare example of atypical pulmonary metastases from a true malignant mixed tumor of the parotid gland showing an air-space pattern and calcification.

Traumatic pseudoaneurysm from the aorta to the left common carotid artery presenting as widened mediastinum

Diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm of the aorta or its main branches is a challenge in patients with blunt chest trauma. Computed tomography helps to demonstrate intrathoracic hemorrhage and suspected great vascular injury when a chest radiograph reveals widening of the mediastinum. Aortic angiography remains the gold standard in the determination of the site, and severity of vascular injury for definitive surgical intervention. Timing of surgical repair is controversial. Delayed repair of traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the aorta after primary control of associate injuries decreases mortality significantly, thus improving prognosis. We report a case of successful repair of a traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the aortic arch with extension to the left common carotid artery in an 18-year-old female patient. The diagnosis, surgical approaches, and timing of operation are discussed along with case presentation